Before a crowd of about 400 people from all over the world, Ward accepted the honor from LaVaughn Stong of Rossville. The recognition came in a surprise presentation at the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union’s (WCTU) World Conference, which takes place at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in Indianapolis through Sunday.

Ward, who serves as World WCTU president, was opening the conference along with WCTU delegates from all seven continents and countries as far away as Papua New Guinea, Thailand and Zimbabwe, when Stong went to the speaker’s podium. “I appear before you to make a surprise presentation,” Stong said. “Only two people in Indiana know anything at all about this presentation; and those two are myself and the highest officer in this state, Honorable Mitchell Daniels, governor.”

Stong then gave an overview of Ward’s involvement with the WCTU. Ward served as state president for 10 years, with an additional decade spent as national president. She served in several other official WCTU capacities before becoming world president. “She also served in places of leadership in her own community of Knightstown,” Stong noted.

“We all know how diligently Sarah works at whatever she does and we know she is so worthy of this honor.

“She has given herself to the work of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union most of her adult life,” Stong said.

Another area resident, Knightstown High School student Kynten Hannon, is involved in the WCTU World Convention. Hannon was a flag bearer during the convention’s opening ceremonies Monday night.